PODCAST

December 12th, 2018

John preached in the desert on a well-traveled route along the banks of the Jordan river. John’s call was to prepare the people of Israel for the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven ushered in by the Messiah. In those days, roads were specially prepared for the arrival of royalty. Those listening would have clearly understood the metaphor of “prepare the way.” Repentance was the means of preparation. In our holiness tradition, we tend to exclusively associate repentance with coming to faith. We don’t want to emphasize a continued repentance because we reject the idea that we are doomed to sin in word, thought, and deed every day. This exclusive association with repentance has caused us great harm. When something impedes or hampers our relationships with God and others, it calls for repentance. As followers of Christ, we need to create space for those Christian practices, like repentance, that make us expectantly receptive to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Messiah has come, is here, and is coming again.